In a significant development, a group of U.S. senators has introduced the first-ever Senate resolution urging the recognition of a Palestinian state. This move, led by Democrat Jeff Merkley of Oregon, signals a notable shift in Washington’s stance toward Israel, nearly two years into its ongoing conflict with Hamas in the Gaza Strip. The resolution advocates for a demilitarized Palestinian state coexisting with a secure Israel, aiming to foster hope and enhance peace prospects for both sides. Despite the Democratic-led effort, the resolution faces slim chances of passing in the Republican-majority Senate, where President Donald Trump and his party have expressed opposition to recognizing Palestinian statehood. Concurrently, in the House of Representatives, Democrat Ro Khanna of California is circulating a letter to garner support for Palestinian statehood. These legislative actions reflect a growing inclination among U.S. lawmakers to pressure Israel to end the war and alleviate the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. The conflict, which began with Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attack, has resulted in over 65,000 Palestinian deaths, according to Gaza health authorities, and continues to devastate the region. The Israeli embassy in Washington has yet to comment on the Senate resolution. Meanwhile, international momentum for recognizing Palestine is building, with several U.S. allies preparing to do so as world leaders convene at the U.N. General Assembly in New York. A recent Reuters/Ipsos poll indicates that 58% of Americans support U.N. recognition of Palestine as a nation. The resolution’s co-sponsors include prominent Democrats and independent Senator Bernie Sanders, who recently described the situation in Gaza as a genocide, echoing findings by a U.N. Commission of Inquiry that Israel has rejected as biased. As the conflict approaches its second anniversary, the push for Palestinian statehood underscores the urgent need for a resolution to the protracted crisis.
Democratic-led US Senate resolution seeks recognition of Palestinian state
